- U.S. No. 1. Feeder pigs in this grade near the borderline of the U.S. No. 2 grade are long and have thick muscling throughout. Thickness of muscling is particularly evident in thick and full hams and shoulders. The hams and shoulders are thicker than the back, which is well rounded. They usually present a well-balanced appearance. In no case may a feeder pig be graded U.S. No. 1 with less than moderately thick muscling. Feeder pigs in this grade are expected to produce U.S. No. 1 grade carcasses when slaughtered at 220 pounds.
- U.S. No. 2. Feeder pigs in this grade near the borderline of the U.S. No. 3 grade are moderately long and have moderately thick muscling throughout. Thickness of muscling is particularly evident in moderately thick and full hams and shoulders. The back usually appears slightly full and well-rounded. They usually present a well-balanced appearance. This grade also includes feeder pigs which otherwise qualify for the U.S. No. 1 grade but have less than moderately thick muscling. Feeder pigs in this grade are expected to produce U.S. No. 2 grade carcasses when slaughtered at 220 pounds.
- U.S. No. 3. Feeder pigs in this grade near the borderline of the U.S. No. 4 grade are slightly short and have slightly thin muscling throughout. The hams and shoulders are slightly thin and flat and the back usually appears moderately full and thick. Feeder pigs in this grade are expected to produce U.S. No. 3 grade carcasses when slaughtered at 220 pounds.
- U.S. No. 4. Feeder pigs typical of the U.S. No. 4 grade are short and have thin muscling throughout. The hams are thin and rather flat, particularly in the lower parts toward the shanks. The back usually appears slightly flat and the width at the top- line usually is greater than at the underline. Feeder pigs in this grade are expected to produce U.S. No. 4 grade carcasses when slaughtered at 220 pounds.
- U.S. Utility. Feeder pigs typical of this grade are small for their age and appear unthrifty. They often have a rough, unkempt appearance indicating the effects of disease or poor care. The hams and shoulders usually are thin and flat and taper toward the shanks. The back is thin and lacks fullness. Pigs in this grade near the borderline of the U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 2, U.S. No. 3, and U.S. No. 4 grades are slightly small for their age and appear slightly unthrifty. It is recognized that U.S. Utility grade feeder pigs will produce U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 2, U.S. No. 3, or U.S. No. 4 grade carcasses when slaughtered at 220 pounds provided their unthrifty condition is corrected. U.S. Utility grade feeder pigs whose unthrifty condition is not corrected will produce U.S. Utility grade carcasses.
- U.S. Cull. Feeder pigs typical of this grade are very deficient in thriftiness because of poor care or disease. They can be expected to reach a normal market weight only after an extremely long and costly feeding period, if at all.
Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources: